Nile cruises from Cairo resume after 18-year gap

Nile cruises from Egypt's capital Cairo to Luxor resumed over the weekend after being halted 18 years ago because of security concerns.

A ceremony marking the resumption of cruises from the capital was held in Luxor, the mecca of Egyptian tourism, after the arrival of a vessel from Cairo.

Tourism Minister Mohamed Hisham Abbas Zazou said that "the restoration of security is the key to the recovery of tourism in Egypt."

"Security on all cruises is being carried out in collaboration with the ministry of the interior," he said, adding that the ministry's goal was to match the 2010 season, when tourism generated $13 billion for the economy.